scholarly journals Reducing Commuter CO2 Footprint through Transit PV Electrification

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 6406
Author(s):  
Zakariya M. Dalala ◽  
Mohammad Alnawafa ◽  
Osama Saadeh ◽  
Emad Alnawafa
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Main Idea ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Transportation System ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Transport Sector

The transport sector is a major consumer of energy, and thus a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The introduction of Electric Vehicles (EVs) has helped in mitigating some of the energy demands presented by the transportation system, though the electrical energy still needs to be secured through conventional and renewable resources. Searching for a new power source for vehicles has become necessary, due to incentives and policy initiatives to counter fossil greenhouse gas emissions. This study provides a new efficient Photovoltaic (PV) powered transportation system, which may be utilized instead of traditional public transportation systems. The main idea is to transform the transportation systems used by large campuses into green systems by deploying educated scheduling approaches and utilizing existing renewable energy infrastructures. The German Jordan University (GJU) campus was chosen as a case study. The presented work describes a comprehensive methodology to exploit the full capacity of the existing PV power plant coupled with the rescheduling of the transportation fleet to meet the energy availability and consumption demand. The proposed technique audits the existing renewable energy power plants for optimum operation. The results validate the efficiency of the proposed system and its ability to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared to traditional transportation systems with an acceptable payback period.

scholarly journals Local Climate Action Planning as a Tool to Harness Greenhouse Gas Emissions Mitigation and the Equity Potential of Autonomous Vehicles and On-Demand Mobility

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812110525
Author(s):  
Serena Alexander ◽  
Asha Weinstein Agrawal ◽  
Benjamin Clark
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Action Planning ◽  
Transportation System ◽  
Emissions Reduction ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Climate Action

This paper focuses on how cities can use climate action plans (CAPs) to ensure that on-demand mobility and autonomous vehicles (AVs) help reduce, rather than increase, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and inequitable impacts from the transportation system. We employed a three-pronged research strategy involving: (1) an analysis of the current literature on on-demand mobility and AVs; (2) a systematic content analysis of 23 CAPs and general plans (GPs) developed by municipalities in California; and (3) a comparison of findings from the literature and content analysis of plans to identify opportunities for GHG emissions reduction and mobility equity. Findings indicate that policy and planning discussions should consider the synergies between AVs and on-demand mobility as two closely related emerging mobility trends, as well as the key factors (e.g., vehicle electrification, fuel efficiency, use and ownership, access, and distribution, etc.) that determine whether the deployment of AVs would help reduce GHG emissions from transportation. Additionally, AVs and on-demand mobility have the potential to contribute to a more equitable transportation system by improving independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities and the elderly, enhancing access to transit, and helping alleviate the geographic gap in public transportation services. Although many municipal CAPs and GPs in California have adopted several strategies and programs relevant to AVs and on-demand mobility, several untapped opportunities exist to harness the GHG emissions reduction and social benefits potential of AVs and on-demand mobility.

Power usage in the transport sector – potential, costs and greenhouse gas abatement of different well-to-wheel pathways

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Millinger ◽  
Philip Tafarte ◽  
Matthias Jordan ◽  
Alena Hahn ◽  
Kathleen Meisel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Electric Vehicles ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Abatement ◽  
Surplus Power

<p>The increase of variable renewable energy sources (VRE), i.e. wind and solar power, may lead to a certain mismatch between power demand and supply. At the same time, in order to decarbonise the heat and transport sectors, power-based solutions are often seen as promising option, through so-called sector coupling. At times when VRE power supply exceeds demand, the surplus power could be used for producing liquid and gaseous electrofuels. The power is used for electrolysis, producing hydrogen, which can in turn be used either directly or combined with a carbon source to produce hydrocarbon fuels.</p><p>Here, we analyse the potential development of surplus power for the case of Germany, at an ambitious VRE expansion until 2050 and perform a cost analysis of electrofuels at different production levels using sorted residual load curves. These are then compared to biofuels and electric vehicles with the aid of an optimisation model, considering both cost- and greenhouse gas (GHG)-optimal options for the main transport sectors in Germany.</p><p>We find that, although hydrocarbon electrofuels are more expensive than their main renewable competitors, i.e. biofuels, they are most likely indispensable in addition for reaching climate targets in transport. However, the electrofuel potential is constrained by the availability of both surplus power and carbon. In fact, the surplus power potential is projected to remain limited even at currently ambitious VRE targets for Germany and carbon availability is lower in an increasingly renewable energy system unless direct air capture is deployed. In addition, as the power mix is likely to contain fossil fuels for decades to come, electrofuels based on power directly from the mix with associated conversion losses would cause higher GHG-emissions than the fossil transport fuel reference until a very high share of renewables in the power source is achieved. In contrast, electric vehicles are a more climate competitive option under the projected power mix with remaining fossil fuel fractions, due to a superior fuel economy and thereby lower costs and emissions.</p><p>As part of the assessment, we quantify the greenhouse gas abatement costs for different well-to-wheel pathways and provide an analysis and recommendations for a transition to sustainable transport.</p>

Power Cycles of Generation III and III+ Nuclear Power Plants

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexey Dragunov ◽  
Eugene Saltanov ◽  
Igor Pioro ◽  
Pavel Kirillov ◽  
Romney Duffey
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Thermal Power Plants

It is well known that the electrical-power generation is the key factor for advances in any other industries, agriculture and level of living. In general, electrical energy can be generated by: 1) non-renewable-energy sources such as coal, natural gas, oil, and nuclear; and 2) renewable-energy sources such as hydro, wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and marine. However, the main sources for electrical-energy generation are: 1) thermal - primary coal and secondary natural gas; 2) “large” hydro and 3) nuclear. The rest of the energy sources might have visible impact just in some countries. Modern advanced thermal power plants have reached very high thermal efficiencies (55–62%). In spite of that they are still the largest emitters of carbon dioxide into atmosphere. Due to that, reliable non-fossil-fuel energy generation, such as nuclear power, becomes more and more attractive. However, current Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) are way behind by thermal efficiency (30–42%) compared to that of advanced thermal power plants. Therefore, it is important to consider various ways to enhance thermal efficiency of NPPs. The paper presents comparison of thermodynamic cycles and layouts of modern NPPs and discusses ways to improve their thermal efficiencies.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculation Methodology in Thermal Power Plants: Case Study of Iran and Comparison With Canada

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farshid Zabihian ◽  
Alan S. Fung
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Thermal Power Plants

Nowadays, the global climate change has been a worldwide concern and the greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions are considered as the primary cause of that. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) divided countries into two groups: Annex I Parties and Non-Annex I Parties. Since Iran and all other countries in the Middle East are among Non-Annex I Parties, they are not required to submit annual GHG inventory report. However, the global climate change is a worldwide phenomenon so Middle Eastern countries should be involved and it is necessary to prepare such a report at least unofficially. In this paper the terminology and the methods to calculate GHG emissions will first be explained and then GHG emissions estimates for the Iranian power plants will be presented. Finally the results will be compared with GHG emissions from the Canadian electricity generation sector. The results for the Iranian power plants show that in 2005 greenhouse gas intensity for steam power plants, gas turbines and combined cycle power plants were 617, 773, and 462 g CO2eq/kWh, respectively with the overall intensity of 610 g CO2eq/kWh for all thermal power plants. This GHG intensity is directly depend on efficiency of power plants. Whereas, in 2004 GHG intensity for electricity generation sector in Canada for different fuels were as follows: Coal 1010, refined petroleum products 640, and natural gas 523 g CO2eq/kWh, which are comparable with same data for Iran. For average GHG intensity in the whole electricity generation sector the difference is much higher: Canada 222 vs. Iran 610g CO2eq/kWh. The reason is that in Canada a considerable portion of electricity is generated by hydro-electric and nuclear power plants in which they do not emit significant amount of GHG emissions. The average GHG intensity in electricity generation sector in Iran between 1995 and 2005 experienced 13% reduction. While in Canada at the same period of time there was 21% increase. However, the results demonstrate that still there are great potentials for GHG emissions reduction in Iran’s electricity generation sector.

scholarly journals A Review of Geothermal Technologies and Their Role in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J. Ball
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Carbon Tax ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Abatement Cost ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Geothermal Heat ◽  
The Cost

Abstract A review of conventional, unconventional, and advanced geothermal technologies highlights just how diverse and multi-faceted the geothermal industry has become, harnessing temperatures from 7 °C to greater than 350 °C. The cost of reducing greenhouse emissions is examined in scenarios where conventional coal or combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants are abated. In the absence of a US policy on a carbon tax, the marginal abatement cost potential of these technologies is examined within the context of the social cost of carbon (SCC). The analysis highlights that existing geothermal heat and power technologies and emerging advanced closed-loop applications could deliver substantial cost-efficient baseload energy, leading to the long-term decarbonization. When considering an SCC of $25, in a 2025 development scenario, geothermal technologies ideally need to operate with full life cycle assessment (FLCA) emissions, lower than 50 kg(CO2)/MWh, and aim to be within the cost range of $30−60/MWh. At these costs and emissions, geothermal can provide a cost-competitive low-carbon, flexible, baseload energy that could replace existing coal and CCGT providing a significant long-term reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study confirms that geothermally derived heat and power would be well positioned within a diverse low-carbon energy portfolio. The analysis presented here suggests that policy and regulatory bodies should, if serious about lowering carbon emissions from the current energy infrastructure, consider increasing incentives for geothermal energy development.

scholarly journals Behavioural changes in urban mobility in Barcelona due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinna Peters
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Public Transport ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Urban Transport ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Urban Mobility ◽  
The City

This study assesses changes in mobility behaviour in the City of Barcelona due the COVID‐19pandemic and its impact on air pollution and GHG emissions. Urban transport is an important sourceof global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Improving urban mobility patterns is therefore crucial formitigating climate change. This study combines quantitative survey data and official governmentdata with in‐depth interviews with public administration officials of the City. Data illustrates thatBarcelona has experienced an unprecedented reduction in mobility during the lockdown (a 90%drop) and mobility remained at comparatively low levels throughout the year 2020. Most remarkableis the decrease in the use of public transport in 2020 compared to pre‐pandemic levels, whereas roadtraffic has decreased to a lesser extent and cycling surged at times to levels up to 60% higher thanpre‐pandemic levels. These changes in mobility have led to a radical and historic reduction in airpollution, with NO2 and PM10 concentration complying with WHO guidelines in 2020. Reductions inGHG emissions for Barcelona’s transport sector are estimated at almost 250.000 t CO2eq in 2020 (7%of the City’s overall annual emissions). The study derives policy implications aimed at achieving along‐term shift towards climate‐friendlier, low‐emission transport in Barcelona, namely how torecover lost demand in public transport and seize the opportunity that the crisis brings for reform byfurther reducing road traffic and establishing a 'cycling culture' in Barcelona, as already achieved inother European cities.

scholarly journals Renewable Energy and EU 2020 Target for Energy Efficiency in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 965 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Brożyna ◽  
Wadim Strielkowski ◽  
Alena Fomina ◽  
Natalya Nikitina
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Eu

Our paper focuses on the renewable energy and EU 2020 target for energy efficiency in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. We study the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in these two EU Member States through the prism of the Europe 2020 strategy and the 3 × 20 climate and energy package and economic growth (represented by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that allows to measure the national dynamics and provide cross-country comparisons) without attributing specific attention to issues such as the electrification of transport or heating, and thence leaving them outside the scope of this paper. Both Czech Republic and Slovakia are two post-Communist countries that still face the consequences of economic transformation and struggle with the optimal management of natural resources. Both countries encountered profound system transformation after 1989 that are apparent in all three measures of sustainable development used in our study. We show that it is unlikely that the planned increase in renewable energy in the Czech Republic and Slovakia will reach its targets, but they might succeed in reducing their energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Our findings show that the energy intensity of Czech and Slovak economies increased in the early 2000s and then stabilized at a level about twice of the EU average. It appears that this value is likely to remain the same in the forthcoming years. However, implementation of GHG emissions in the Czech Republic and Slovakia may be at risk in case the proper energy policy is not maintained. Moreover, our results show how the increase in the share of renewable energy and improvement in energy efficiency go hand-in-hand with mining and exploiting the energy sources that is notorious for the transition economies. We also demonstrate that a proper energy policy is required for effectively reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. There is a need for commitments made by relevant stakeholders and policymakers targeted at achieving sustainable economic growth and energy efficiency. In addition, we demonstrate that there is a need for maintaining a proper balance between economic development and environmental protection, which is a must for the EU sustainable energy development agenda and all its accompanying targets for all its Member States.

scholarly journals Development of a Decision Support Model Based on Machine Learning for Applying Greenhouse Gas Reduction Technology

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 3582
Author(s):  
Sungwoo Lee ◽  
Sungho Tae
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Decision Support Model ◽  
Ghg Reduction

Multiple nations have implemented policies for greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction since the 21st Conference of Parties (COP 21) at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2015. In this convention, participants voluntarily agreed to a new climate regime that aimed to decrease GHG emissions. Subsequently, a reduction in GHG emissions with specific reduction technologies (renewable energy) to decrease energy consumption has become a necessity and not a choice. With the launch of the Korean Emissions Trading Scheme (K-ETS) in 2015, Korea has certified and financed GHG reduction projects to decrease emissions. To help the user make informed decisions for economic and environmental benefits from the use of renewable energy, an assessment model was developed. This study establishes a simple assessment method (SAM), an assessment database (DB) of 1199 GHG reduction technologies implemented in Korea, and a machine learning-based GHG reduction technology assessment model (GRTM). Additionally, we make suggestions on how to evaluate economic benefits, which can be obtained in conjunction with the environmental benefits of GHG reduction technology. Finally, we validate the applicability of the assessment model on a public building in Korea.

scholarly journals The green-house gas (GHG) emission’s reduction mechanisms for biofuels in the European legislation

OCL ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Philippe Dusser
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Emission Reduction ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Emission Trading ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
Reduction Mechanisms ◽  
Ghg Reduction ◽  
Emission Reduction Target ◽  
The Eu

GHG reductions are a major focus of the EU policy. Several regulations have been set in order to meet the EU commitments under the Paris Agreement with an overall reduction of 40% from 1990 level. For the transport sector which is responsible for around 20% of the total GHG emissions, the GHG reductions obligations have been translated by i) reinforced GHG reduction thresholds for biofuels into the recast Renewable Energy Directive RED II; ii) an ambitious target of 30% GHG emission reduction target from 2005 level in the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) common to “non-ETS sector” (not covered by the Emission Trading System – ETS) as agriculture, building, waste… and transport. Furthermore, other EU regulations directed to Cars, Vans as well as Heavy Duty Vehicles set GHG emission reduction targets for new vehicle up to 2030. Finally, in its communication “A Clean Planet for All” the EU Commission describes A Strategy for 2050 to achieve a carbon neutral economy. This article addresses also the case of the German “GHG quota” which is a national support system for biofuels and as such is parallel to the European obligations stemming from the RED II renewable energy mandates that are to be met by Germany.

World Expo 2010 Promotes the Reduction in Carbon Emissions of Urban Transport

2014 ◽  
Vol 522-524 ◽  
pp. 1826-1830
Author(s):  
Lin Hui Zeng ◽  
Guang Ming Li
Keyword(s):  
Public Transport ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Carbon Emission ◽  
Travel Demand ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Urban Transport ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Travel Demand Management

Transport sector is one of the main sources of anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. Comprehensive countermeasures are needed in cities to mitigate transport GHG emissions. After reviewing green traffic measures that implemented by Shanghai since bidding for Expo 2010, this paper analyzes the achievement that Shanghai has made in carbon mitigation. The results showed that travel demand management and the constrcution public transportation infrastructure promoted by the event played a vital role in promoting mode shift to form public transport oriented traffic system. Carbon emission intensity of Shanghais urban transport declined steadily from 1.66 kg/trip to 1.55 kg/trip. The CO2 reduction attributable to mode shifts amounted to 4.99 million tons. It demonstrated that Shanghai Expo has promoted the city in carbon emission reduction through public transport improvement, new energy vehicles innovation, car growth restriction measures and green commuting initiate.

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